These are the people who live in my neighbourhood

The word about the Kingdom of Garnet seems to be spreading. Those who were at the last BBQ in July were touched to hear that the neighbourhood spirit was appreciated by a stranger in our annual summer feast. The stranger came from another part of Milton and was a little envious of the closeness of this street's community. Actually, this community spirit is quite a novelty compared to other places I have lived before.

Last Friday, the signs designating the various royalty were hoisted. There was one new addition this year...a single queen. My consort, Mr. Hippo, did not mind but dutifully participated in a installation celebration (witness the beer). Long live the Queens and Kings of Garnet.

Manitoulin

A little shade in the bright (and hot) Manitoulin sun!

Ribosome doing his best impression of an outback adventurer.


Although it has been over a year since I last saw Mr. Ribosome and his current squeeze, there is something very familiar about meeting up with them. This is perhaps the best time about friendship. Each time you see each other again, it seems like the years between have never really passed. The same jokes and recollection of memories and same joy in the time spent together.

Often, I recognize that this is an illusion, your friends do change. In fact, Ribosome and his girlfriend are moving to Montreal with her daughter (who is going to start at a new school there in the fall). This is naturally a big step in their relationship as he was "taking a break" about a year ago. However, after purchasing a new house near his parents, he'll soon be looking for work in neighbouring Ontario towns. The renumberation for medical services in Quebec is significantlly lower than in Ontario.

It was alas a farewell weekend in Little Current. By the time I was done hiking all over the rocks of Lousia for nearly two hours, I felt I was done for the day. However, this was followed by a birthday party for the eight year old girl and then a wine tasting event in the heart of town. And that was just Saturday.

Thanksfully, it was a peaceful Sunday on the beach at Carter's Bay. With sand dunes, warm summer sun and cool waters, this was certainly the perfect way to laze away the day. With its fine sand beach, remote location, and scarcely another person (or development) in sight, you could almost believe you were on your own private tropical island instead of the true North of Canada.

The pleasures of sleep

Wow, 11 days since I was last on call. 11 days of uninterrupted sleep. I had forgotten the feeling of wellness from such a simple pleasure.

My father the gardener

Well my father has many talents but he has one true calling...a gardener. Each year he patiently manages to coax life back to the garden, to pull out the chocking weeds and to await the arrival of the new saplings. Witness the annual ritual of rose pruning, planning of new herbs (many from seed) and vegetables (also from seed) and the daily watering of green acres. Now retired, he really has come into his hobby which also affords great pleasure to both friends and family. Can't wait to taste those beets, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers and cherry tomatoes!

Summer and BBQ's

Well the temperature is rising and in Canada, we wait the whole winter through for this glorious season called summer. And nothing is more Canadian than a BBQ to celebrate the start of hot season. So be it in my own backyard for the annual office staff BBQ or for Canada Day celebration or at the backyard of my friend's Mr. Urogyn in Ottawa, the pleasure of juicy beef/salmon/lamb/turkey or soy burgers, cesar/seaweed/tabule/garden/spinach salad with beer/grape sode/mineral water/wine/cooler was enjoyed by all.

Sesquicentennial Celebration

What is Milton famous for? Well first and foremost, it is home to the best screw in Canada....and best screwdriver too. Peter Lymburner Robertson, inventor of the Robertson screwdriver, crafted the first of the slightly tapered, squared-shaped tip tool back in 1908. The first factory for the screws and screwdrivers went into production in Milton around this time as well. Robertson screws and screwdrivers are used primarily in Canada and to a lesser extent, in the USA.



Milton also has its very own astronaut, Colonel Chris Hadfield. He was born in Sarnia and raised in Milton where he resides today with his wife and three children. He has flown on the Shuttle Atlantis in 1995 and was the first Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to ever board Mir. His second shuttle mission was on the shuttle Endeavour in 2001. During the 11-day flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float freely in space. Not bad for a Miltonian.

In the most recent Canadian census, Milton was reported to the fastest growing town in all of Canada. Faster than some towns in Alberta! Milton has grown by 70% in the last five years. The town's population ballooned from 30, 000 to nearly 55,000 in the same time frame and expected to reach 90, 000 in another five years.
And least we forget, the Steam Era. Held each year around Labour Day and drawing from tractor steam engines from across North America is this festival dedicated to both the farm machines and the folks from these rural communities. Can't wait for the threshing and tractor pull competitions.
Happy 150th birthday Milton!

Oh what a beautiful day!

After last year's fiasco, where I inadvertently put myself on call on the day that I was suppose to take Mr. Hippo and my parents to Stratford, I was doubly cautious about booking this year's performance. Thankfully, the theatre folks at Stratford provided me a refund for our Twelfth Night tickets which I put toward the musical Oklahoma.

It was truly a beautiful morning and yes, a beautiful day. The gardens at Stratford were in full bloom. Although thundershowers threatened in the late afternoon, the sun prevailed. The performance was lively and energetic. Many in the audience were singing along. The voice of "Curly", the male lead was simply gorgeous. Rich, melodious and so soothing. He could probably charm snakes with it.

Mr. Hippo had not seen a musical in nearly 20 years. The last one being Jesus Christ Superstar. Although not quite his taste, he found the experience entertaining. I suspect the scenes of dancing cowboys (including a ballet performance) echoed too closely to Brokeback Mountain imagery. After the performance, it was dinner at Carter's on Downie followed by a lovely river walk back to the car before heading home.

Shacked up

How did my Honey Hippo spend his vacation? Moving in to the old homestead. The hustle and bustle is yet to settle with pieces of Hippo slowly assimilating into the collective house. Much like the end product from the movie Prestige, duplication seems to be everywhere...two vaccum cleaners, two toasters, two DVD players, two irons (exact models) and ironing boards, two black Jettas in the garage, two desktop computers. He even had another surprise for me....the installation of Satellite TV with a decoded multiple channel receiver. I don't think I could ever watch that much TV.

Did you know?

Here are a few pieces of trivia I picked up on my vacation through Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Did you know....

...there were no coopers in Williamsburg. The town people led a very modern (i.e. consumeristic) lifestyle. Everything was brought to the town but nothing was shipped out. Coopers were in business elsewhere in Virginia. Most notably on the tobacco farms.

...only 60 of the 500 colonists in Jamestown survived the bitter and diastrous winter of 1610.

...the state memorial for Pennsylvania is the largest one at Gettysburg.

...it was possible to open a bottle of wine with a piece of string. There will be more wilderness survival tips to follow from Mr. Hippo soon.

Virginia Vacation

A little summary of my vacation in Pennsylvannia and Virginia.

First on our many stops was the site of the Civil War's defining battle: Gettysburg. This is the view from the Union side at "Pickett's Charge." For here was set the high watermark of the Confederacy. After this last stand, the grays were fighting a long retreat.

Gettysburg's cemetery is the first national cemetery in America. It is also the site of Lincoln's most famous address.

Then it was off to Colonial Williamsburg. A fantastic recreation of 18th century america. The Rockfellers literally spent millions on renovating and recreating nearly every aspect of Virginia's original capital: The Capitol (seat of the lower and upper houses), the Gaol (jail in mordern day English), several houses belonging to prominent Virginians including signers of the Declaration of Independence), the Governor's Palace, and the Courthouse.

There was plenty of discussion about the queen's impending visit to Williamsburg. The town was much a buzz with preparations. Several passes were made by helicopters throughout our visit. Men in three piece black suits with sunglasses and walk-talkies casually surveyed the grounds.

There was unfortunately some misunderstanding regarding my views on the monarchy and some took offence to my views on self-government. Hippo clarified that my official charge that of being a "wanton woman."

Fortunately, her majesty herself came in person at my request (thankfully, she was in town celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown) to ordered my immediate release. I wasted no time and made a hasty departure to that other Dominion.

Now, I'm back home safe and sound. Happy Mother's Day!

Susur and another birthday

Nothing says I love you bro than a dinner at Susur. Especially when your brother works as a chef in the top restaurant in Ottawa. So, Dolby-boy got reservations for his brother, his girlfriend and myself to one of the top restaurants in Toronto.

I must preface this with my first Susur non-experience. I was to have eaten here two birthday's ago. However, after going bar hopping with the Golden Boy, I was too wasted and too incoherent to show my face at dinner. However, despite having drunk two bottles of wine, several glasses of scotch and smoked a Cohiba, I did somehow manage to exercise enough judgement to call my friends at Susur to inform that of my state of inebriation. The final crowning moment of that evening was throwing up in the taxi ride home.

Thankfully, there are always second chances. So off to Susur's for another birthday dinner though not my own. It was a splendid dinner worthy of the reputation of the restaurant. The Toronto Star's food critic has lavished great praise on the food but sharply criticized the service. This was not our experience as Terence our waiter guided us every expertly through the night's culinary delights without any attitude.

As it was Dolby boy's brother's birthday, we decided on the full six course taster's menu (plus dessert) with wine pairing: Cote du Rhone Syrah and Harbordwine Chardonnay. The appetizers consisted 5 dishes: the egg tofu with pickled vegetable, five spice coated foie gras souffle and tuna topped with diced avocado set the digestive juices following.

Next was the main course. Pork tenderloin in a ginger puree coupled with pork belly stewed to perfection with pouched pear. So tender it melted on one's tongue. There was an alternate version served to the birthday boy, peeled stewed grapes with the pork belly.

The foie gras dish followed with several preparations: a seared form in blue berry sauce, a souffle form in a gamy sauce, another seared on its own, a mousse foie gras with almonds in a waffle roll. This dish also had prosciutto and caramelized apple on a bed of fennel coleslaw.

Then the guava sorbet served with a spiced dehydrated pineapple on a tray with dry ice...lovingly referred to as "smoke and mirrors" by the restaurant staff. This was followed by a very Cantonese style corn and sake soup of lobster, prawn and scallop paired with tempura coated spider crab and plantains. This was followed by my personal favourite, seared tuna topped with edible flowers and Dolby boy's favourite, caramelized black cod (sable fish) with spinach mousse.

The dessert really put things over the top. A two tiered platter medley of chocolate (molten chocolate ball, black forest cake, apple crisps, dark chocolate cup with caramelized cherry, mango creme brulee, apple custard, lime merange balls closed the evening. All served with orchid oolong tea (with a hint of coconut).

Afterwards, there was a tour of the kitchen's of Lee and Susur as well as the private function room at Susur by the general manager. Alas, there was no meeting with the man himself. Although he would make occasional appearances in the restaurant, he was busy with a film crew for the Food Network filming new series called "Over the Top Chefs."And for the birthday boy, there was one last gift: an autographed copy of A Culinary Life, Susur's biography and cook book.

Apocalypse

Judging by the dire warning of climate change scientists, you may think the end is near. Here in Milton, there have been another sent of warning signs of a ominous change to come. First, there was the flood on the labour and delivery ward. This was followed by the "odd" noises in the floating-tile ceiling. This was later attributed to a squirrel when its dropping were found. The creature has never been seen and really, how on earth did the creature get up into the ceiling in the first place? Today, the hospital is beset with a plague of ants. Now awaiting the hailstorm and the river of blood.

Finishing touches on the basement

What to say? Can you really describe the joy that a heated ceramic floor gives you? A walk-in shower with a seat and hand-held shower head that is big enough for two. In the main living room, soft lighting from potlights on a dimmer switch with a floating ceiling to provide access to the plumbing and the electrical. Can't wait for the built in closet and shelving to be installed next.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air and nothing sings of spring more than flowers....in this case carved veggie flowers of course. The occasion to make the start of this new beginning was was Ms Crowded House and her hubby, Dictator K, combined birthday dinner at Sushi Kaji. The chef did not disappoint serving up a splendid mix (save one thing).

First, there was a crab croquette with lotus root chip. Then came an appetitzer of cold soba noodles with stewed clam and scallop which was followed by a hot beef and watercress soup. The next dish was a fried fish smothered with shitake mushrooms and snow peas greens. A plate of sashmi dish and penultimately, a medley of nigri from tuna belly to lobster completed the main course.

Alas, the disappointment was a somewhat suspiciously slimy tastless fish egg mousse. This makes the overall experience less satisfying as Kaiseki Sakura or Toju. However, the dessert (a lime merangie with fresh fruit) to a lesser degree and the company of good friends to a greater degree did make up for this.

Everybody's Birthday

The Lunar New Year is not a one day affair. Instead, the chinese have made it a nearly two week celebration. On the seventh day of the new year, "everybody's birthday" is the theme. On this day, everyone essentially becomes a year old at the same time. In honour of this, the traditional noodle dish is prepared (the dish with the tongs). Noodles signifying long life in the ancient chinese tradition. Prawns when said in cantonese is a homonym for laughter...HA! Everyone should celebrate life with joy. The mushroom dish is another new year staple. In cantonese, it is the homonym for Fatt Choy (prosperity). Naturally, the king of the oinkers was also eaten. Actually, given its size, we'll likely be eating the remains of the pig throughout the year.

Wii Wii Wonderful

I am not very much of a videogame player. Actually make that I am not a videogame player. I have tried out various systems from X-box to the P3P and Gamecube at various parties but didn't really understand the appeal. Enter Wii.

I receive the console quite by accident after a colleague of mine chanced upon it at the shelves of the local Walmart. She bought the last two units. One was snatched up by yours truely. The other was purchased by another colleague of mine who is equally disinterested in video games (but who has a four year old boy).

What fun was had that evening at the homestead. Bowling, tennis, boxing....all played with the full furor of competition. Even my father got into the action and turns out is quite a wicked Wii bowler.

Drenched in the sweat, massaging my Wii elbows and wrists, I smiled and gazed about the room. I realized that there was a rabid videogame addict in each and everyone of us.

Week 5 of Renovations.

This is it....the tiles were set in the floor and in the bathroom stall. The vanity and the toilet arrived and the plumbing was hooked up. The trim was nailed in and then columns were constructed around the supporting pillars. The place is just about ready for the big move. What's left....a few nice light fixtures, warm shelving and carpet in the bedroom.

Gong Hai Fatt Choy

Welcome to the year of the Pig! Lots of tasty eats, fat ang pows and good health to all.

Reunion dinner was the traditional fare of juicy prawns, stewed mushrooms and other fungus delights and chili chicken (this is my mother's modification). All washed down with some good Syrah and Port.

Telephone calls were made to various relatives aboard including my brother in law to whom I dedicate these pictures of the snow which fell last Wednesday. Next time he visits Canada to see snow, I would suggest a trip around the Chinese rather than Western New Year.

Week 4 of Renovations

We were blanketed with over 25cm of snow this week. This really slowed the work down for our renovations as the floor tiles could not be delivered until Thursday. The electrician though did manage to install the pot lights and the wiring for the heated ceramic tile floor in the bathroom. The floating ceiling went up and our carpenter Manuel made a bannister for the stairs. The stairs, basement entrance door and bannister were all stained. The countdown to the finish is on.